Please post your ideas about Chomsky's versus Skinner's ideas on language acquisition. With which of these two scientists do you most agree? Why? What are your own thoughts on how we acquire language?
Posted by kccesl
at 9:40 AM EDT
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 9:52 AM EDT
Name: Dr. Kasper
Chomsky believes that human beings have a language acquisition device, or LAD, built into their brains. According to Chomsky, this LAD makes language "species specific," meaning that only human beings, not other animals, are capable of learning and using language. Moreover, Chomsky believes that because we are born with this LAD, that no matter what, we must learn language.
In contrast, B. F. Skinner believed that human beings must be taught all behaviors including language. According to Skinner, when we are born our brains are a "tabula rasa," or "blank slate." If we are not taught language, according to Skinner, then we will not learn nor be able to use it.
Obviously, Chomsky and Skinner have very different ideas about human capabilities for language acquisition and use.
What do you think?
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:00 AM EDT
Name: Wan Lii think they both go their points and they got 2 strong back up.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:09 AM EDT
Name: Deanna [Hi Everyone:-)]
I mostly agree with the theory that Skinner has. Skinner believes that one must hear sounds and create language through auditory learning.One must experience this during the age of 18 months to about 13 years old. One must hear language through auditory learning. Genie is a great example on how a child must be exposed to language at the critical stage. She was not exposed to language and can not form clear words or speak normally.
Chomsky's theory can therefore be proven wrong because, if one was born with the essential knowledge of learning a languge by themselves, then Genie would have been able to learn English just fine after being released from the room.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:09 AM EDT
Name: Deanna [Hi Everyone:-)]
I mostly agree with the theory that Skinner has. Skinner believes that one must hear sounds and create language through auditory learning.One must experience this during the age of 18 months to about 13 years old. One must hear language through auditory learning. Genie is a great example on how a child must be exposed to language at the critical stage. She was not exposed to language and can not form clear words or speak normally.
Chomsky's theory can therefore be proven wrong because, if one was born with the essential knowledge of learning a languge by themselves, then Genie would have been able to learn English just fine after being released from the room.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:12 AM EDT
Name: WanI agree with psychologist B.F. Skinner because he brought out the case of Genie and he explain what was happening to her when she was locked up in the clost when she was 18 months old and after she got rescue she can't speak normally, which tells us that she was lack of attention and others support. And with this case he came up with a theory, during the age of 4 to 12 child should taught all aspects of language. I totally agree with B.F. Skinner because children should learn during the critical period it was much easier for them to learn.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:13 AM EDT
Name: DeannaHey ! If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:26 AM EDT
Name: AngelinaIn the case of Chomsky vs. Skinner I agree with Skinner's ideas .A child will not speak normaly if he was not taugh.When a chiled startes to say the sound of his/ her native languge that is becouse he/she lestens to people arond them speak. if not the chiled will not abel to speak normaly in futer
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:31 AM EDT
Name: Jason
Between Chomsky and Skinner I choose Skinner because he had a little more proof because of the case of Genie. It showed us that a child need to be exposed to language by a certain age or it would not speak normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:32 AM EDT
Name: LeonardoI agree with the theory of Skinner that children must hear things and imitating what they hear in their invironmet, so they can learn how to speak their native language normally.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:51 AM EDT
Name: Dr. KasperThis answer is much better Wan. It is much more specific than your first answer. Keep doing this!
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:52 AM EDT
Name: Dr. KasperGood, Angelina! Just be careful of your spelling when you type on the computer.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:52 AM EDT
Name: Dr. KasperVery good answer, Jason!
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:53 AM EDT
Name: AnjelikaI most agree with Skinner's theory. Because I also consider that baby learn the rules of their native language by imitating what they hear in their environment. My own thoughts on how we acguire language - it is more and more different information, more contact and connection with baby. And then everything will be oke'y.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:53 AM EDT
Name: Dr. KasperWhy do you agree? Be sure to give support for your answer.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:54 AM EDT
Name: OleksandrI also agree with Skinner. Children should be taught how to speak their native language normally, because if they won't be thaught then they could have speaking problems like Genie did.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:54 AM EDT
Name: Dr. KasperVery good answer, Anjelika!
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 - 10:56 AM EDT
Name: Dr. KasperExcellent answer, Deanna!! Very complete!!
